iPhone 16 Leads Q3 2025 Smartphone Sales as Apple Secures Five Top Spots
In the third quarter of 2025, Apple solidified its dominance in the global smartphone market, with the iPhone 16 emerging as the best-selling device, according to a recent report by Counterpoint Research. This marks the third consecutive quarter where the iPhone 16 has led sales, capturing 4% of the total market share.
Apple’s impressive performance extended beyond the iPhone 16, as the company secured five of the top ten positions in the best-selling smartphone rankings for Q3 2025. The lineup included:
– iPhone 16 Pro at second place
– iPhone 16 Pro Max in third
– iPhone 16e at fourth
– iPhone 17 Pro Max rounding out the list at tenth, despite limited availability towards the end of the quarter
This achievement surpasses Apple’s performance in Q3 of the previous year, where the company held four positions in the top ten. The iPhone 15 led the rankings, followed by the iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 14 in first, second, third, and eighth places, respectively.
Several factors contributed to the sustained success of the iPhone 16 series. A significant sales boost in India, driven by festive promotions, played a crucial role. Additionally, a steady recovery in the Japanese market helped mitigate the typical seasonal decline associated with the launch of the newer iPhone 17 series. However, the iPhone 16 Pro models experienced a steeper decline in markets such as the United States, United Kingdom, and China, where consumers showed a preference for the latest iPhone 17 series over its predecessor.
The report also highlights a trend where consumers who purchased iPhones during the COVID-19 pandemic are now seeking replacements, contributing to the robust sales figures. On the Android front, Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G emerged as the best-selling device for the quarter, indicating strong competition in the mid-range segment.
Looking ahead, Counterpoint Research anticipates that the integration of artificial intelligence features will continue to drive growth in the mid-price smartphone segment, potentially influencing future rankings.
